Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 26
तारकवाक्य-शक्रविष्णुवीरभद्रयुद्धवर्णनम् — Account of Tāraka’s declarations and the battle involving Śakra (Indra), Viṣṇu, and Vīrabhadra
एवं येन कृतं पापं वेदमार्गं विसृज्य वै । स कथं विजयेद्युद्धे भवेद्धर्मवतांवरः
evaṃ yena kṛtaṃ pāpaṃ vedamārgaṃ visṛjya vai | sa kathaṃ vijayedyuddhe bhaveddharmavatāṃvaraḥ
Ainsi, celui qui a commis le péché en abandonnant la voie védique — comment pourrait-il jamais être victorieux au combat, ou devenir le premier parmi les justes ?
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the purāṇic teaching to the sages, consistent with Rudrasaṃhitā discourse style)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse asserts a karma-and-dharma principle: abandoning the śruti-guided path and committing pāpa undermines both outer success (victory) and inner worthiness (being counted among the truly dhārmic). In a Śaiva Siddhānta lens, dharma supports purification (mala-kṣaya) and prepares the soul for Shiva’s grace.
Linga/Saguṇa-Śiva worship in the Shiva Purana is not a license to bypass dharma; it is meant to restore and uphold it. True devotion includes right conduct—so turning from the Vedic-dharmic way contradicts the very purpose of Shiva-bhakti and weakens the devotee’s śakti and protection.
The implied takeaway is repentance and return to dharma through Shiva-upāsanā: daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), wearing vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) with reverence, and disciplined conduct (niyama) aligned with śāstra.